Patents by Inventor Richard J. Topliss

Richard J. Topliss has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11157072
    Abstract: A direct retinal projector may include a gaze tracking system that tracks position of a subject's pupil and automatically adjusts projection of a scanned light field so that the light field enters the pupil. A control loop adjusts a scanning mirror to substantially center an IR beam on a position sensing detector (PSD). In so doing, the scanning mirror is correctly positioned so that the scanned light field from the projector enters the subject's pupil. In addition, a direct retinal projector may include an adjustable focusing element that adjusts focus of a combined light beam generated by a projector as the light beam is scanned to an ellipsoid mirror that reflects the light beam to the subject's pupil. The focusing of the scanned beam may be adjusted as the beam is scanned across the azimuth angle of the curved ellipsoid mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, James H. Foster, Alexander Shpunt
  • Publication number: 20210286108
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include one or more adjustable lens elements. The adjustable lens element may include a transparent substrate, a collapsible wall that forms an enclosed perimeter on the transparent substrate, and a flexible membrane on the collapsible wall that together define an interior volume. The interior volume may be filled with a fluid. The adjustable lens element may include a lens shaping component that applies a force to the collapsible wall to adjust a height of the collapsible wall relative to the transparent substrate, which in turn may be used to adjust the shape of the flexible membrane and thus the lens power of the lens element. The collapsible wall may have bellows that allow the collapsible wall to fold on itself when compressed, thereby minimizing unintended lateral movement of the collapsible wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Igor Stamenov, Ran He, Yuan Li, Peng Lv, James E. Pedder
  • Patent number: 11122256
    Abstract: A mixed reality direct retinal projector system that may include a headset that uses a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into an eye box corresponding to a user's eye. The light engine may include light sources coupled to projectors that independently project light to the holographic combiner from different projection points. The light sources may be in a unit separate from the headset that may be carried on a user's hip, or otherwise carried or worn separately from the headset. Each projector may include a collimating and focusing element, an active focusing element, and a two-axis scanning mirror to project light from a respective light source to the holographic combiner. The holographic combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; each projector interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple locations in the eye box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Richard H. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20210208405
    Abstract: Point to point transmission holograms are used to provide a scene camera for an augmented reality glasses display system. A glass or plastic substrate acts as spectacle style lens. A holographic medium is applied to a surface of the substrate, within which is recorded a series of point to point transmission holograms. The construction points of the holograms are arranged at the eye and at the pupil of a camera placed, ideally, to the temple side of the user's eye. The recorded transmission holograms act by diffracting a portion of the light from the scene surrounding the user that is heading for the user's eye towards the scene camera. The hologram efficiency is balanced so that the user is still able to see the surrounding scene. The perspective of the view seen by the scene camera is substantially identical to that seen by the user through the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Michael David Simmonds
  • Patent number: 10955677
    Abstract: Point to point transmission holograms are used to provide a scene camera for an augmented reality glasses display system. A glass or plastic substrate acts as spectacle style lens. A holographic medium is applied to a surface of the substrate, within which is recorded a series of point to point transmission holograms. The construction points of the holograms are arranged at the eye and at the pupil of a camera placed, ideally, to the temple side of the user's eye. The recorded transmission holograms act by diffracting a portion of the light from the scene surrounding the user that is heading for the user's eye towards the scene camera. The hologram efficiency is balanced so that the user is still able to see the surrounding scene. The perspective of the view seen by the scene camera is substantially identical to that seen by the user through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Michael David Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20200355911
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a mirror tilt actuator include a chassis, one or more magnetic yoke structures affixed to the chassis, and a carriage moveably mounted to the chassis. In some embodiments, the chassis includes an indentation for affixing one or more magnetic yoke structures, and the chassis further includes one or more bearing receivers for mounting a mirror carriage. In some embodiments, the carriage includes one or more bearing members. In some embodiments, the one or more bearing members rest in one or more respective bearing receivers of the chassis. In some embodiments, the one or more edge members terminate in one or more curved leading edge faces. Some embodiments further include a magnet fixedly mounted to the carriage, a magnetic coil wrapped around a coil shaft mounted to the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Yuval Gerson
  • Publication number: 20200341290
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Y. Chan, Richard J. Topliss, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 10725288
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a mirror tilt actuator include a chassis, one or more magnetic yoke structures affixed to the chassis, and a carriage moveably mounted to the chassis. In some embodiments, the chassis includes an indentation for affixing one or more magnetic yoke structures, and the chassis further includes one or more bearing receivers for mounting a mirror carriage. In some embodiments, the carriage includes one or more bearing members. In some embodiments, the one or more bearing members rest in one or more respective bearing receivers of the chassis. In some embodiments, the one or more edge members terminate in one or more curved leading edge faces. Some embodiments further include a magnet fixedly mounted to the carriage, a magnetic coil wrapped around a coil shaft mounted to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Yuval Gerson
  • Publication number: 20200236251
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Patent number: 10712581
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Y. Chan, Richard J. Topliss, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 10694169
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor structure includes a super-pixel sensor comprising a plurality of micro-pixel sensors. The image sensor structure includes a plurality of micro-lenses affixed to focus light on the plurality of micro-pixel sensors. In some embodiments, each micro-lens of the plurality of micro-lenses directs light to locations on a respective one or more of the plurality of micro-pixel sensors. In some embodiments, the image sensor structure includes one or more color filters affixed at locations for filtering light directed by the micro-lenses to a first set of color image micro-pixel sensors comprising one or more of the plurality of micro-pixel sensors for capturing color image data and one or more polarization filters affixed at locations for filtering light directed by the micro-lenses to a second set of polarization micro-pixel sensors comprising one or more of the plurality of micro-pixel sensors for capturing depth map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Albert A. Ho, Thomas M. Gregory, Ning Y. Chan, Richard H. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20200174255
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display module that generates image light and an optical system that redirects the light towards an eye box. The optical system may have first hologram structures that replicate the light over multiple output angles onto second hologram structures. The second hologram structures may focus the replicated light onto the eye box. If desired, the device may include an image sensor. The first and second hologram structures may include transmission and/or reflection holograms. The optical system may redirect a first portion of the light to the eye box and a second portion of the light to the sensor. The sensor may generate image data based on the second portion of the light. Control circuitry may compensate for distortions in the first portion of the light by performing feedback adjustments to the display module based on distortions in the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hollands, Michael D. Simmonds, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
  • Patent number: 10616452
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Patent number: 10484583
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera of a mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the camera includes an autofocus coil for moving a lens module, a plurality of optical image stabilization coils, a driver circuit element, connected to the autofocus coil, for passing an alternating current waveform through the autofocus coil, and one or more measurement circuit elements, connected to respective ones of the plurality of the optical image stabilization coils, for measuring changes induced in currents in the respective ones of the plurality of the optical image stabilization coils by the waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Gregory, Albert A. Ho, Richard J. Topliss, Richard H. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20190285897
    Abstract: An augmented reality headset may include a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into a user's eye while also transmitting light from the environment. The combiner and engine may be arranged to project light fields with different fields of view and resolution to match the visual acuity of the eye. The combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; one projection point interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple eye box points. The engine may include a laser diode array, a distribution waveguide, scanning mirrors, and layered waveguides that perform pupil expansion and that emit wide beams of light through foveal projection points and narrower beams of light through peripheral projection points. The light engine may include focusing elements to focus the beams such that, once reflected by the holographic combiner, the light is substantially collimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt
  • Publication number: 20190146238
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Y. Chan, Richard J. Topliss, Steven Webster
  • Publication number: 20190049587
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a depth map acquisition system, includes a housing, a light source for emitting light to illuminate objects in a scene subject to depth mapping, fixedly mounted to the housing, a mirror tilt actuator, fixedly mounted to the housing, for tilting a mirror fixedly mounted to the mirror tilt actuator, a mirror fixedly mounted to the mirror tilt actuator, for reflecting light from the light source to the objects, and a partially transparent photosensitive detector in the direct path of the light from the mirror to the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
  • Patent number: 10197775
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a fixed chassis structure and a moveable carriage body carrying one or more lenses. The carriage body is movably mounted to the chassis structure so as to limit a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement of the moveable carriage body but to allow movement along an optical axis through the one or more lenses. An inertial actuator is mounted to the moveable carriage body such that the axis of motion of the actuator is parallel to at least one allowed degree of freedom. The moveable carriage body is held in place with respect to the at least one allowed degree of freedom by one or more friction forces received at one or more mechanical contacts with the chassis structure. The inertial actuator is actionable to overcome the friction forces, and an inertial mass is mounted to the inertial actuator on a side opposite the carriage body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Topliss
  • Patent number: 10162191
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Y. Chan, Richard J. Topliss, Steven Webster
  • Publication number: 20180367711
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer